Southend-on-Sea

Southend is one of the best loved and most friendly
seaside resorts in eastern England. Popular with holidaymakers,
it boasts a wide range of attractions with a good mix
of traditional seaside leisure facilities, fronted
by seven miles of award winning beaches and foreshore.

Located within easy reach of London's east end,
it is the nearest seaside to the capital and a key
destination for day trippers. The lively seafront is
seven glorious miles long, with hotels, fair rides,
amusements, arcades, illuminations and gardens.
The central, City Beach area has interactive fun fountains
and state of the art lighting. For the more cultured,
there are several historic houses and museums to visit,
plus a bustling nightlife and over 300 eateries. Evening
entertainment includes the Cliffs Pavilion, a popular
concert hall and theatre venue.

The pier head is the focal point of the town, and
one of the longest piers in the world at
1.3 miles (2.1 km) in length. It is traversed
by a unique electric railway that runs for over one
mile from the Esplanade out into the estuary. A museum
at the pier entrance describes the history of the pier
and its usage during Victorian times as a passenger
terminus for French steamers. At the far
end you will find a Lifeboat Centre, cafe, shop and
spectacular views out across the Thames Estuary.

Southend became a popular resort in the early 19th
century and boomed during Victorian times. Growing
from a small hamlet called South End of Prittlewell,
it quickly swallowed up the nearby villages along the
coast. The ornamental gardens and Edwardian bandstand
at Westcliff are a delight and Thorpe Bay, to the east,
provides a quieter atmosphere, with its fine beach
of sand and shingle. The village of Old Leigh, to the
west, still has a thriving fishing community. A pleasant
place where you can stand and watch the cockle
boats being unloaded on the quay.

Pridewell Priory Park (located in oldest part of
town, to the north), contains remains of an 11th-c
priory; now a local history museum. The surrounding
parkland and gardens provide a 'tree trail', fishing
lake, bowling green, tennis courts and other public
facilities. Southend's many other beautiful parks and
gardens win regular Britain in Bloom Awards, including
the Cliff Gardens and The Shrubbery along the Esplanade.

Sealife Adventure

Venture under the sea and be amazed by colourful
marine life from England's coastal areas. Its traditional
aquarium includes a walk-through tunnel,
where you can get up close to sharks, rays, turtles
and other colourful fish.

Southchurch Hall Museum

Located in Southchurch Hall Park, this fine 14th-c
half-timbered moated house is set in beautiful
gardens. Open to the public, it hosts a series of period
room displays from the middle ages to Victorian times.

Southend Pier & Museum

Located at the pier's entrance, this living
museum portrays the history of the pier and life in
the resort. Just outside the museum you can
take the famous electric train to the end of the Pier,
where you will find a Lifeboat Centre, cafe and shop.

Prittlewell Priory & Museum

Prittlewell is 12th-c Cluniac priory that today
houses the southeast Essex museum. The remains of
the priory (founded in 1110 by Benedictine monks) includes
a refectory, half-timbered prior's chamber, cellar
and cloisters. The museum contains varied collections
covering archaeology, history, social life and the
natural history of south east Essex.

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